Self-Seal Export Cargoes without Customs Monitoring from October 2017

The Customs department has allowed self-sealing procedure from October 2017 for containers to be exported, as it aims to move towards a 'trust based compliance environment' and trade e-commerce facilitation for exporters. 

In a circular to all Principal Chief Commissioners, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said exporters who were availing facility of sealing at the factory premises under the supervision of customs authorities will be automatically entitled for self-sealing facility. It said that permission once granted for self-sealing at an approved premise will remain valid unless withdrawn. 

However, in case of change in the premise, a fresh approval from Customs department will be required. "The new self-sealing procedure shall come into effect from October 1, 2017. Till then the existing procedure shall continue" the CBEC said. It asked field officers to notify a Superintendent-rank officer to act as the nodal officer for the self-sealing procedure.Under the new procedure, the exporter will have to declare the physical serial number of the e-seal at the time of filing the online integrated shipping bill or in the case of manual shipping bill before the container is dispatched for the port. 

In a circular in July, the CBEC had said it endeavours to create a trust based environment where compliance with laws is ensured by strengthening risk management system and Intelligence setup of the department. 

Accordingly, CBEC has decided to lay down a simplified procedure for stuffing and sealing of export goods in containers.